The newly accredited Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to the Independent State of Samoa, H.E. Ms. Kira Christianne D. Azucena presented her Letter of Credence to the Head of State of Samoa at the credential ceremony held this afternoon, on 19 March 2025.
On the occasion, Ambassador Azucena in her remarks conveyed greetings and best wishes from the President of the Philippines, His Excellency Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr to the Head of State and to the Government and People of Samoa. The Ambassador also highlighted the remarkable parallels and similarities between both Samoa and Filipino cultures, attributing these commonalities to the very relations that both nations enjoy today. Ambassador Azucena reaffirmed the Philippines commitment to strengthening the diplomatic ties and cooperation between the two countries for a better and prosperous future for all.
Afioga Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aletoa Sualauvi II acknowledged the Government of the Philippines continued support for Samoa through their Technical Cooperation programme and expressed his gratitude for the latter’s assistance through the Trainers training on diplomatic protocol and conference management workshop conducted in March 2024 to assist Samoa with its preparations in hosting the 2024 CHOGM. The Head of State also expressed his confidence that the appointment of H.E Azucena as the new Ambassador of the Philippines to Samoa will yield more opportunities in promoting cooperation and enhancing relations between the two countries.
Her Excellency Ms. Kira Christianne Danganan Azucena is a career diplomat and has served in various capacities to include, Director for the Central Europe at the Office of European Affairs, Special Assistant to the Secretary General of the National Organizing Committee in 2006. In Cebu, she served as Executive Director of the Office of the UN and other International Organizations, Assistant Secretary of the Office of American Affairs, Chief Coordinator of the Office of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Chief of Staff of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs.
She was also on various diplomatic postings including as First Secretary and Consul and Alternate Permanent Representative to the FAO at the Philippines Embassy in Rome and served as the Deputy Consul at the Philippines Consulate General in Hong Kong. She continued her career as Deputy Consul General at the Philippines Consulate in New York and later became Deputy Permanent Representative and Chargé d’Affaires a.i at the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to the United Nations. H.E Azucena is currently the Ambassador of the Philippines to New Zealand with concurrent accreditation to the Pacific countries including Samoa with residence in Wellington, New Zealand.
